Medical University of South Carolina
Location
Charleston, South Carolina
Salary
$45,300 - $77,000 / YEAR
Supports laboratory animal research through rodent technical services, colony management, and core facility operations. Responsibilities include performing surgeries, necropsies, and injections while ensuring compliance with animal use protocols.
Requires an associate degree with one year of laboratory experience or a high school diploma with two years of journey-level laboratory experience. Must be physically capable of handling animals and working in various laboratory environments.
Summary This position supports laboratory animal research through rodent technical services, colony management, and core facility operations. Responsibilities include performing rodent procedures (e.g., injections, blood collection, surgeries, necropsies), managing breeding colonies, supporting diagnostic and necropsy services, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with animal use protocols. The role also provides training to research and DLAR staff, assists with animal import/export and sentinel testing, and supports other core and veterinary services as needed during staffing shortages. This position requires attention to detail, regulatory compliance, and flexibility, including occasional weekend and holiday work. Entity Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ) Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Classified Cost Center CC001152 DLAR Division Of Laboratory Animal Resources Pay Rate Type Hourly Pay Grade University-GEN08 Pay Range 45,300.00 - 61,100.00 - 77,000.000 Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Work Shift Job Description 1.1 Rodent Technical Services 35% Rodent projects: performs injections, blood collections, gavaging, physiological tracking, special diet/water provision, necropsies, and surgeries (survival and non-survival); will include some weekend and holiday work; verifies compliance with researcher’s animal use protocol. CDLD Animal Models Core: performs hands-on procedures with rodents (surgeries, tissue/blood collection, injections, physiological recordings), provides colony management (breeding, weaning, genotyping, database management) Training animal protocol: maintains inventory of training animals, arranges donations and transfers of animals to and from training protocol and between facilities, tracks usage, and maintains compliance. 1.2 Core Services 25% Necropsy: Assists in necropsy for USDA species necropsies, performs rodent necropsies, maintains necropsy facilities, and preparation for histology Representation: presents information about the Core at conferences and on-campus events Record-keeping: accurately maintains records of all procedures performed for research projects 1.3 Colony Management 20% Manage and work effectively and efficiently with collaborators and other groups who need Colony Management support. Establish and implement breeding schemes to optimize the number of animals required for numerous investigators on campus following approved research protocols. Collect tissue samples and store them, deliver them to research staff, or send them to Transnetyx for the purpose of genotyping Wean litters and set up breeding cages as required to meet research needs Train researchers across campus in colony management basic skills. Guide DLAR and research personnel in colony management techniques and theory. Collect samples and perform duties for the Cross Foster program. 1.4 Training 10% Research Staff: performs training with research laboratory staff on rodent handling, technical procedures, and surgeries; documents all training. DLAR staff: trains DLAR staff on necessary rodent procedures (handling, sexing, injections) and departmental SOPs (standard operating procedures) 1.5 Assist with Other Sections within the Core 5% VDL- during shortages or surges, perform duties to include: Equipment maintenance: performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance for blood analysis machines; manages records of all tests performed and data collected; organizes and retains all necessary records for the diagnostic laboratory Sentinel testing: assists with the division’s sentinel program; collects blood, tissue, and VDL- during shortages or surges, perform duties to include: Equipment maintenance: performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance for blood analysis machines; manages records of all tests performed and data collected; organizes and retains all necessary records for the diagnostic laboratory Sentinel testing: assists with the division’s sentinel program; collects blood, tissue, and swab samples for testing; communicates with facility supervisors about schedule and sampling needs; ship the samples appropriately to the testing center Import/export of animals: prepares and packs up animals for transport; keeps records of all imports/exports performed; applies ectoparasite treatments to the imported rodents; collects samples for quarantine testing, ships the samples Diagnostic testing: performs requested tests on blood samples collected by departmental staff or investigators; performs RT-PCR analysis of samples for pathogens for the cross-foster program or follow-up sentinel testing; prepares and ships samples to outside labs for analysis SRL- during shortages or surges, perform duties to include: Fill in for Veterinary Technicians (rodent treatments and assessments) as needed for staff shortages and overflow, as needed assistance with USDA species medication dosing 1.6 Other Duties as Assigned 5% Performs other related duties as required MUSC Minimum Training and Experience Requirements: An associate degree or equivalent technical training in electronics technology, biology, or the natural sciences and one year work experience in a laboratory environment; or a high school diploma and two years journey-level work experience in a laboratory environment. MUSC Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this
Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Must be ambidextrous. Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to perform job duties in a research environment that will involve direct handling of, or indirect exposure to, research animals, animal housing areas, and related procedures. Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required. Additional
Minimum Requirements: An associate degree or equivalent technical training in electronics technology, biology, or the natural sciences and one year work experience in a laboratory environment; or a high school diploma and two years journey-level work experience in a laboratory environment. Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this
Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 30 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 30 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 50 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 30 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required. Ability to perform job duties in a research environment that will involve direct handling of, or indirect exposure to, research animals, animal housing areas, and related procedures. If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us! The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need. Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees Thank you for wanting to be part of the Medical University of South Carolina team. Whether you want to teach the next generation of health care leaders, innovate new business models, discover the next breakthrough or provide patient care, there's a role for you that fuels your passion and takes advantage of your skills. There are career opportunities available in academics, research, hospital medicine, physician practices and support services, from patient billing to IT. As an applicant, you can search jobs for all MUSC entities as well as search by category and location. MUSC attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, making it the biggest magnet for biomedical, extramural research dollars of all institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program aims to advance clinical and translational science to increase the speed at which new treatments become available to patients. MUSC Health, the clinical enterprise, operates a 750 bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of fewer than 70 elite National Cancer Institute designated centers), a Level I Trauma Center and the Institute of Psychiatry. In addition, there are more than 100 outreach clinics, hospital/health system affiliations, and telehealth sites. U.S. News & World Report placed us among the top one percent of all American hospitals, with 11 specialties in the top 50. The MUSC Medical Center is also one of only three Magnet® designated hospitals in South Carolina.
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